2022 NBA Draft

[LukaTheGOAT]

I dont hate this class, but definitely dont love it and there are far more question marks for the top guys than I would prefer.

Jabari: Really solid, but I do question the ceiling with him. I also question the overall impact for him, from just size alone he should be grabbing more than 6.5 boards per game and 1 block per game. His rebounds per 100 right now is currently lower than JJJ's in college. That isnt good.

Paolo: Again solid, but just like Jabari I question the ceiling with him. Again for how much people were talking about how big and strong he was going into the season, he hasnt been a great rebounder. He's been better as of late, but again not blowing people away there. His shot selection has been pretty meh and I think the biggest thing with him, he got a lot of praise for his emerging perimeter skills coming into the season. If we are being honest, they've been garbage so far. He hasnt been a threat off the dribble when he has been out on the perimeter, his 3pt shot has been very inconsistent, and his passing has been all over the place. Then defensively as of late he has been asked to do more finally, but that has been against bad tiny teams, so who knows on that yet.

Ivey: Ya he is lightening quick, but how long is his arms? Ive seen everything from 6'6 to 6'9.5". He also isnt much of a facilitator at all. And ya his 3pt numbers have been good this season, he has that Ja Morant kind of form which I dont trust at all. His handle is good, but the majority of his drives are straight line drives, he needs a little more wiggle and creativity with his game.

Chet: I think his questions are pretty well known. Does he have the frame that will ever allow him to have enough physical capability to take advantage of his offensive skill set. Its more than just weight as well, his frame itself is a big question mark.

Brown: Has everything you can ask for from a physical standpoint for a perimeter player in today's game. Lightening quick, very explosive, moves great laterally as well. But the complete lack of production being put up from him cant go unquestioned. He's a non factor on the glass. When it comes to him against legit competition, he has been a complete zero when it comes to creativity and playmaking. Then defensively he has been good but not getting the defensive plays you'd like to see from someone with his capabilities.

In some order that seems to be pretty close to most people's top 5. Again I actually like all of these guys as prospects (not so much Chet). But ya I think all of them have far more questions than Id usually like to see from guys that are being talked about as top 3 and top 5 picks.

I also want to be clear with my post. That isnt how I view them overall as prospects. This post was specifically just pointing out the biggest question marks in their game. So it was just the negative aspects or the weakness part of my scouting report on them. There is plenty to like about them and that is why I say ya I dont love this draft but I also dont hate it either.

With Ivey do you believe a lot of his drives are just straight-line drives because he is athletic enough to just blow by college guys without having to really go into a deeper moveset? Or do you believe he has been put in certain scenarios where more creativity would have been advantageous and he failed to deliver?

[BostonCouchGM]

It’s only been two games but Wendell Moores been absolutely terrible since the COVID pause. He’s playing like he did in his first two seasons, which is basically the worst player to get significant time in the ACC. Hope this is just a minor blip and not a hard regression to his previous two seasons. The same stupid turnovers, the same terrible drives to nowhere when he should be passing it.

I was going to post this. He looked great early on but man he's struggling. I think he'll still make for a really solid role player ala Gary Harris and should sneak into the first if he tests and measures. What I've noticed watching Duke is someone NOBODY talks about who should be getting way more minutes/touches even over Keels and Moore and that's A.J. Griffin. He seemingly has better BBIQ, skills, size/length than those two and it wouldn't surprise me if he starts getting way more minutes and takes over the starting position. He has an NBA body. Shoots 44% from three and seems so fluid and in control. I don't understand why he's not starting tbh. He really reminds me of a more polished OG Anunoby. He's definitely their 2nd most talented player and NBA prospect without question.

[Duke4life831]

I dont hate this class, but definitely dont love it and there are far more question marks for the top guys than I would prefer.

Jabari: Really solid, but I do question the ceiling with him. I also question the overall impact for him, from just size alone he should be grabbing more than 6.5 boards per game and 1 block per game. His rebounds per 100 right now is currently lower than JJJ's in college. That isnt good.

Paolo: Again solid, but just like Jabari I question the ceiling with him. Again for how much people were talking about how big and strong he was going into the season, he hasnt been a great rebounder. He's been better as of late, but again not blowing people away there. His shot selection has been pretty meh and I think the biggest thing with him, he got a lot of praise for his emerging perimeter skills coming into the season. If we are being honest, they've been garbage so far. He hasnt been a threat off the dribble when he has been out on the perimeter, his 3pt shot has been very inconsistent, and his passing has been all over the place. Then defensively as of late he has been asked to do more finally, but that has been against bad tiny teams, so who knows on that yet.

Ivey: Ya he is lightening quick, but how long is his arms? Ive seen everything from 6'6 to 6'9.5". He also isnt much of a facilitator at all. And ya his 3pt numbers have been good this season, he has that Ja Morant kind of form which I dont trust at all. His handle is good, but the majority of his drives are straight line drives, he needs a little more wiggle and creativity with his game.

Chet: I think his questions are pretty well known. Does he have the frame that will ever allow him to have enough physical capability to take advantage of his offensive skill set. Its more than just weight as well, his frame itself is a big question mark.

Brown: Has everything you can ask for from a physical standpoint for a perimeter player in today's game. Lightening quick, very explosive, moves great laterally as well. But the complete lack of production being put up from him cant go unquestioned. He's a non factor on the glass. When it comes to him against legit competition, he has been a complete zero when it comes to creativity and playmaking. Then defensively he has been good but not getting the defensive plays you'd like to see from someone with his capabilities.

In some order that seems to be pretty close to most people's top 5. Again I actually like all of these guys as prospects (not so much Chet). But ya I think all of them have far more questions than Id usually like to see from guys that are being talked about as top 3 and top 5 picks.

I also want to be clear with my post. That isnt how I view them overall as prospects. This post was specifically just pointing out the biggest question marks in their game. So it was just the negative aspects or the weakness part of my scouting report on them. There is plenty to like about them and that is why I say ya I dont love this draft but I also dont hate it either.

With Ivey do you believe a lot of his drives are just straight-line drives because he is athletic enough to just blow by college guys without having to really go into a deeper moveset? Or do you believe he has been put in certain scenarios where more creativity would have been advantageous and he failed to deliver?

I think it’s mainly because of his lightening quick first step, he doesn’t need to be too creative. But I also think similar to Fox, he’s an elite straight line athlete but doesn’t have the best wiggle to his game.

[zimpy27]

I dont hate this class, but definitely dont love it and there are far more question marks for the top guys than I would prefer.

Jabari: Really solid, but I do question the ceiling with him. I also question the overall impact for him, from just size alone he should be grabbing more than 6.5 boards per game and 1 block per game. His rebounds per 100 right now is currently lower than JJJ's in college. That isnt good.

Paolo: Again solid, but just like Jabari I question the ceiling with him. Again for how much people were talking about how big and strong he was going into the season, he hasnt been a great rebounder. He's been better as of late, but again not blowing people away there. His shot selection has been pretty meh and I think the biggest thing with him, he got a lot of praise for his emerging perimeter skills coming into the season. If we are being honest, they've been garbage so far. He hasnt been a threat off the dribble when he has been out on the perimeter, his 3pt shot has been very inconsistent, and his passing has been all over the place. Then defensively as of late he has been asked to do more finally, but that has been against bad tiny teams, so who knows on that yet.

Ivey: Ya he is lightening quick, but how long is his arms? Ive seen everything from 6'6 to 6'9.5". He also isnt much of a facilitator at all. And ya his 3pt numbers have been good this season, he has that Ja Morant kind of form which I dont trust at all. His handle is good, but the majority of his drives are straight line drives, he needs a little more wiggle and creativity with his game.

Chet: I think his questions are pretty well known. Does he have the frame that will ever allow him to have enough physical capability to take advantage of his offensive skill set. Its more than just weight as well, his frame itself is a big question mark.

Brown: Has everything you can ask for from a physical standpoint for a perimeter player in today's game. Lightening quick, very explosive, moves great laterally as well. But the complete lack of production being put up from him cant go unquestioned. He's a non factor on the glass. When it comes to him against legit competition, he has been a complete zero when it comes to creativity and playmaking. Then defensively he has been good but not getting the defensive plays you'd like to see from someone with his capabilities.

In some order that seems to be pretty close to most people's top 5. Again I actually like all of these guys as prospects (not so much Chet). But ya I think all of them have far more questions than Id usually like to see from guys that are being talked about as top 3 and top 5 picks.

I also want to be clear with my post. That isnt how I view them overall as prospects. This post was specifically just pointing out the biggest question marks in their game. So it was just the negative aspects or the weakness part of my scouting report on them. There is plenty to like about them and that is why I say ya I dont love this draft but I also dont hate it either.

With Ivey do you believe a lot of his drives are just straight-line drives because he is athletic enough to just blow by college guys without having to really go into a deeper moveset? Or do you believe he has been put in certain scenarios where more creativity would have been advantageous and he failed to deliver?

I think it’s mainly because of his lightening quick first step, he doesn’t need to be too creative. But I also think similar to Fox, he’s an elite straight line athlete but doesn’t have the best wiggle to his game.

But that's a problem right? Fox is a better playmaker and has utility for that. Would Fox limited to a scoring role be that valuable? Doesn't feel like a max guy which I'd be trying to reach for with a top 3 pick.

[Duke4life831]

With Ivey do you believe a lot of his drives are just straight-line drives because he is athletic enough to just blow by college guys without having to really go into a deeper moveset? Or do you believe he has been put in certain scenarios where more creativity would have been advantageous and he failed to deliver?

I think it’s mainly because of his lightening quick first step, he doesn’t need to be too creative. But I also think similar to Fox, he’s an elite straight line athlete but doesn’t have the best wiggle to his game.

But that's a problem right? Fox is a better playmaker and has utility for that. Would Fox limited to a scoring role be that valuable? Doesn't feel like a max guy which I'd be trying to reach for with a top 3 pick.

He’s a more gifted scorer than Fox though. I just brought up Fox as an athletic comparison. Again I think if all goes right, he’s a Donovan Mitchell kind of player.

[zimpy27]

I think it’s mainly because of his lightening quick first step, he doesn’t need to be too creative. But I also think similar to Fox, he’s an elite straight line athlete but doesn’t have the best wiggle to his game.

But that's a problem right? Fox is a better playmaker and has utility for that. Would Fox limited to a scoring role be that valuable? Doesn't feel like a max guy which I'd be trying to reach for with a top 3 pick.

He’s a more gifted scorer than Fox though. I just brought up Fox as an athletic comparison. Again I think if all goes right, he’s a Donovan Mitchell kind of player.

Mitchell has a ton of wiggle in his game. That's kind of where I am not seeing what others see. He's like Fox with the straight line athleticism but he's going to be like Mitchell in NBA who has a lot of wiggle. Mitchell also has a lot of leadership qualities that I don't know much about Ivey.

Then if you go to the stats against conference level competition it doesn't look favourable for Ivey. However, the sample size is small for Ivey this season so far. Need to see full season and am definitely waiting for a big game from him.

Jaden Ivey


De'Aaron Fox


Donovan Mitchell



Do you think Ja Morant as a scorer is a good comp? I don't see same level of athleticism but perhaps a similar scoring game.

[Duke4life831]

But that's a problem right? Fox is a better playmaker and has utility for that. Would Fox limited to a scoring role be that valuable? Doesn't feel like a max guy which I'd be trying to reach for with a top 3 pick.

He’s a more gifted scorer than Fox though. I just brought up Fox as an athletic comparison. Again I think if all goes right, he’s a Donovan Mitchell kind of player.

Mitchell has a ton of wiggle in his game. That's kind of where I am not seeing what others see. He's like Fox with the straight line athleticism but he's going to be like Mitchell in NBA who has a lot of wiggle. Mitchell also has a lot of leadership qualities that I don't know much about Ivey.

Then if you go to the stats against conference level competition it doesn't look favourable for Ivey. However, the sample size is small for Ivey this season so far. Need to see full season and am definitely waiting for a big game from him.

Jaden Ivey


De'Aaron Fox


Donovan Mitchell

When I say I see him like Mitchell. I’m talking role and similar stat line, not necessarily exact play style.

And ya it’s still too early for me to look at per 100 stats for conference play. I’ve seen Ivey tear up good legit guards enough that I’m not worried if he can do it against legit competition.

I’ve got two big question marks with Ivey. Is the 6’9.5” wingspan that is reported in some places legit? I also question his 3pt shot. It’s a slow and low release and I’m not a fan of how repetitive it is.

I’m also not saying he’s a great top 3 pick either. I just have much bigger question marks with the other guys at the top.

So at the moment I’d probably take the risk of a top 3 pick with a guard with a lightening quick first step. Over a big like Paolo who’s question marks are starting to really pop up.

[BostonCouchGM]

Coach K hasn't been a good coach for what seems like a decade. He's winning because he sometimes has an overwhelming talent advantage. I'm surprised top talents keep going there but I guess if it's still THE brand and it's not hurting their draft stock it wasn't going to change. The guy has had all-NBA talent and never seems to make players better or put them in position to succeed. They just do because they're more talented. I wonder how much of the recruitment is because of Coach K and how much because of the brand.

[clyde21]

Coach K sucks, he lost it a long time ago

[Duke4life831]

Coach K hasn't been a good coach for what seems like a decade. He's winning because he sometimes has an overwhelming talent advantage. I'm surprised top talents keep going there but I guess if it's still THE brand and it's not hurting their draft stock it wasn't going to change. The guy has had all-NBA talent and never seems to make players better or put them in position to succeed. They just do because they're more talented. I wonder how much of the recruitment is because of Coach K and how much because of the brand.

I agree with all of this. The last time K was what people imagine when they talk about Coach K was in 2010. 2015 I do give him credit for finally moving Amile to the bench and moving Justise to the 4 late in the season. But either than that, that team was led by a freakish defensive effort by Winslow in March and Tyus being very clutch, it wasn't from great coaching. And ya since then K has just been flat out bad. I think Clyde and I have been echoing this statement for many years now on here it seems haha.

When it comes to recruiting, K hasnt recruited for quite sometime. He has been the final pitch once the kids come to visit the school or over the phone, but Capel was the main recruiter for awhile and for the past few years its been Scheyer. For the last couple years many have viewed Scheyer as the best recruiter in college basketball. And it seems like that will continue past K leaves. Duke has the #1 class for next year, already has a top 10 commit, a high rated 4 star, in the 2023 class and are viewed as favorites for a few other high rated guys. So the high end recruiting looks like that wont slow down even past K. Scheyer is very good at recruiting and that Duke brand is no doubt huge.

[Duke4life831]

Coach K sucks, he lost it a long time ago

Haha I feel like you and I have become old men with how long we have been saying this on here.

[clyde21]

Coach K hasn't been a good coach for what seems like a decade. He's winning because he sometimes has an overwhelming talent advantage. I'm surprised top talents keep going there but I guess if it's still THE brand and it's not hurting their draft stock it wasn't going to change. The guy has had all-NBA talent and never seems to make players better or put them in position to succeed. They just do because they're more talented. I wonder how much of the recruitment is because of Coach K and how much because of the brand.

I agree with all of this. The last time K was what people imagine when they talk about Coach K was in 2010. 2015 I do give him credit for finally moving Amile to the bench and moving Justise to the 4 late in the season. But either than that, that team was led by a freakish defensive effort by Winslow in March and Tyus being very clutch, it wasn't from great coaching. And ya since then K has just been flat out bad. I think Clyde and I have been echoing this statement for many years now on here it seems haha.

When it comes to recruiting, K hasnt recruited for quite sometime. He has been the final pitch once the kids come to visit the school or over the phone, but Capel was the main recruiter for awhile and for the past few years its been Scheyer. For the last couple years many have viewed Scheyer as the best recruiter in college basketball. And it seems like that will continue past K leaves. Duke has the #1 class for next year, already has a top 10 commit, a high rated 4 star, in the 2023 class and are viewed as favorites for a few other high rated guys. So the high end recruiting looks like that wont slow down even past K. Scheyer is very good at recruiting and that Duke brand is no doubt huge.

yea, Duke pretty much the Yankees/Lakers/Cowboys of college ball, they'll get any recruit they want at this point, just an insane brand

they have the top class in 2022, 4 5* guys if Mark Mitchell signs the LOI (he's a verbal commit now i believe)...to go along with Lively, Whitehead, Filipowski and 4* Schutt...just wild.

[Duke4life831]

Since 2015, these are some of the names that have been at Duke.

Zion
Tatum
Ingram
Bagley (say what you want about him as a NBA player, he was a beast in college)
WCJ
Grayson
Kennard
Trent
Cam
RJ
Tre

That isnt even mentioning good college players that have been on the team and other guys like Frank Jackson who is still in the NBA. They haven't been to a championship, they've lost 2 Final Fours. Hell a team with

Tatum
Grayson (Junior at the time)
Kennard (Sophomore at the time)

That trio right there should be good enough to blow out college teams. Then you throw in

Frank Jackson (top 15 recruit, been in the NBA for 4 years now)
Matt Jones (Senior and starter on the championship team)
Amile Jefferson (5th year senior and a really good college player)

A team with those 6 guys lost in the 2nd round of the tournament... Give prime K that kind of massive advantage in talent, we get a repeat of 2001. 2010 was the end of prime K.

[clyde21]

Mgbako, #3 overall recruit right now in 2023, already committed to Duke too...so they apparently are still hauling these guys without K being there

[Duke4life831]

Mgbako, #3 overall recruit right now in 2023, already committed to Duke too...so they apparently are still hauling these guys without K being there

Mgbako hasnt committed to Duke yet, but many feel like its just a matter of time though. Caleb Foster is top 10 (going by 247) has committed to Duke and they have Sean Stewart who is a 4 star is committed.

But ya recruiting isnt going to be an issue as long as Scheyer doesnt flat out bomb right out the gates. I cant wait to see if Scheyer can install some new blood into the team. All I know is there is noway he could be as bad as K has been the past few years. I mean this last Miami game was embarrassing from a coaching standpoint. Pick any random high school coach and he would'nt have made some of the unbelievably dumb mistakes K did that game. It was bad enough where I wouldnt have been shocked if K just stepped down after it.

Seriously youre up 1, Miami is at the line to shoot 1 FT and there is only like 30 seconds left. Put in a big lineup so you can grab the rebound incase there is one. But no K decides to stay super small and guess what happens, Miami misses the FT grabs the board and makes a shot to win the game. Like this is basic level stuff here. K doesnt do that stuff anymore. Its just like watching Mark Jackson waste years of Curry all over again. I mean Mark Williams is sitting on the bench and is averaging 24 rebounds per 100 so far in the ACC and 18 boards per 100 on the season so far. But you got him resting on the bench in a scenario where you need a rebound. I just cant anymore haha.

[BostonCouchGM]

Ivey is 100% a PG. Kid is special and will be a superstar in the NBA

[BostonCouchGM]

Since 2015, these are some of the names that have been at Duke.

Zion
Tatum
Ingram
Bagley (say what you want about him as a NBA player, he was a beast in college)
WCJ
Grayson
Kennard
Trent
Cam
RJ
Tre

That isnt even mentioning good college players that have been on the team and other guys like Frank Jackson who is still in the NBA. They haven't been to a championship, they've lost 2 Final Fours. Hell a team with

Tatum
Grayson (Junior at the time)
Kennard (Sophomore at the time)

That trio right there should be good enough to blow out college teams. Then you throw in

Frank Jackson (top 15 recruit, been in the NBA for 4 years now)
Matt Jones (Senior and starter on the championship team)
Amile Jefferson (5th year senior and a really good college player)

A team with those 6 guys lost in the 2nd round of the tournament... Give prime K that kind of massive advantage in talent, we get a repeat of 2001. 2010 was the end of prime K.

yep. What I've noticed is that well coached, well constructed teams that have vets but maybe less one done NBA type talents, have better cohesion and BBIQ than recent coach K squads. Same with Calipari teams. While it's easy to blame the one and done on this I also think both he and Calipari's coaching has declined big time as well because they've always gotten one and dones but seemingly did a better job of it in years past. These programs need the heady juniors and seniors that might not get drafted but still play in the NBA to say in school for them to win championships and it hasn't happened. That list of players you provided is insane. How do you not win every year with talent like that?

[clyde21]

any thoughts on Dalen Terry here? sneaky 1st rounder?

[babyjax13]

any thoughts on Dalen Terry here? sneaky 1st rounder?

I assume he comes out next year when he's able to get more run w/Mathurin and Kier gone - or rather, more of a featured role. Next season he will get 30 minutes a game I bet and have a better chance of making that case.

[jman3134]

any thoughts on Dalen Terry here? sneaky 1st rounder?

Have loved Dalen Terry for a long time. Have to watch more Zona to see how his shot is coming along. I believe he will be an NBA player - great vision, works hard, etc.